Biodegradable container having a child resistant closure

ABSTRACT

A resealable jar for liquid, semi-solid, or solid content comprises a body having a rigid fibrous wall that at least partially defines a lumen and an open end, and a child resistant cap sized and dimensioned to engage the open end of the jar body. The cap is configured to be deformable to releaseably engage the open end of the jar body. The body could be composed of a paper or a fibrous material, and the cap could be composed of biodegradable material. The cap could be disengaged from the jar body by application of a force to a deformable center section, or to pinch tabs, or to a pull tab of the cap.

The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/927,933 filed Jan. 15, 2014. Where a definition or use of a term in a reference that is incorporated by reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein is deemed to be controlling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to containers comprising paper or other fibrous materials having child resistant closures.

Background

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Resealable bottles, jars, and other containers are useful in storing pills, powders, herbs, and other dry goods because the containers protect their contents with rigid, moisture-resistant containers. Once opened, these containers can be resealed to preserve the goods within the container by using a screw cap, a pressure-snap cap, or other closures. Typical containers are composed of glass, metals, or plastics, and have a metallic or plastic closure.

Although these moisture-resistant containers sufficiently protect their contents, these containers significantly add to landfills when discarded. Because the containers are generally composed of non-biodegradable materials including (e.g., glass, metal, plastic, etc.), the containers can persist in landfills for hundreds of thousands of years.

Many efforts have been put forth to make containers with biodegradable caps. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,881 to McElroy, U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,009 to Sawatani, U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,994 to McElroy, and U.K. Patent Appl. No. 2,238,270 to Hwang disclose paper containers with caps formed from latex rubber.

Many efforts also have been put forth to make child proof safety packages for storing and dispensing medicinal tablets, pills, capsules and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,330 to Buono, U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,863 to Kusz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,784 to Wright, U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,282 to Robinson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,225 to Schwaikert, U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,965 to Northup, U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,785 to Berghahn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,121 to Ludwig, U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,662 to Hepp, U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,393 to Schaefer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,703,975 to Wittemer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,110 to Gach, Canadian Patent No. 2,369,765 to Dickie, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0109726 to Alley disclose various forms of child safety caps.

However, such child resistant caps are generally difficult to place on paper containers and often lead to deformation of the paper containers because of the typically low strength and stiffness of the paper containers when compared with plastic, glass, or metal containers.

Thus, there is still a need for resealable, biodegradable, moisture-resistant containers for dry goods with resealable child resistant closures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a resealable jar, comprises: (1) a body having a rigid fibrous wall that at least partially defines a lumen, and an open end; and (2) a child resistant cap sized and dimensioned to engage the open end of the jar body, wherein the cap is configured to be deformable to releaseably engage the open end of the jar body.

In currently preferred embodiments, the child resistant cap can include: (1) a spring loaded removal device; (2) a slot configured to receive a prying member for disengagement of the cap from the open end of the jar body; (3) a deformable center section, wherein the cap is configured to disengage the open end of the jar body by application of a force to the deformable center section; (4) at least two pinch tabs, wherein the cap is configured to disengage the open end of the jar body by application of a force to the pinch tabs; and (5) a pull tab, wherein the cap is configured to disengage the open end of the jar body by application of a upward force to the pull tab while grasping the body of the container.

In some embodiments, the cap includes a downwardly-extending projection, which is configured to contact at least a portion of a circumference of the fibrous wall's interior. It is further contemplated that the at least one projection can be sized and dimensioned such that the projection contacts at least 10 degrees or 5% of a circumference of an interior of the wall, and more preferably at least 15 degrees or 10% of a circumference of the wall's interior. In other contemplated embodiments, the projection contacts at least 50% or 180 degrees of a circumference of the wall's interior. In still other contemplated embodiments, the projection contacts the entirety of a circumference of the wall's interior. Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. As used herein, the phrases “a circumference of an interior of the wall” and “a circumference of the wall's interior” mean an interior surface of a horizontal cross-section of the wall.

Preferred containers are moisture-resistant, and are composed of a fibrous material or other biodegradable material(s). The body can be composed of one or more biodegradable material(s), and preferably comprises paper or other fibrous material(s). More preferably, the body's wall comprises a single piece of rolled paper, which forms at least three layers of the rolled paper.

As used herein “fibrous material” means materials characterized by a plurality of discrete fibers. The filaments can be plant or animal derived, synthetic, or some combination of these. In “plant-derived fibrous materials” the filaments are at least predominantly of plant origin, examples of which include wood, papyrus, rice, ficus, mulberry, fibers, cotton, yucca, sisal, bowstring hemp and New Zealand flax. Paper is generally a fibrous material that is usually made by pressing and de-watering moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags, or grasses.

As used herein, a “biodegradable” means a material or collection of materials that will break down to at least 90% H₂O, CO₂ and biomass within a period of six months from the action of naturally occurring micro-organisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, algae, etc.) under favorable conditions. For example, meat, plants, wood, cotton, animal protein, paper, are all deemed herein to be biodegradable. Thus, while individual components of an object might not be deemed biodegradable, the object itself will be deemed biodegradable if the components are biodegradable overall.

As used herein, the term “pressure snap cap” means a closure having flexibility such that a horizontal cross-sectional area can be increased by at least 1 mm, while still allowing the closure to revert to its original size and dimension. In alternative contemplated embodiments, the flexibility is such that a horizontal cross-sectional area can be increased by at least 0.5 mm or 2 mm. As used herein the term “cap” is a component that fits around or otherwise encloses an opening, and includes caps, lids, and so forth, but excludes stoppers, plugs, and so forth.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a jar with a snap cap.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a snap cap.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of another embodiment of a jar with a snap cap.

FIGS. 4-5 are vertical cross sectional views of another embodiment of a jar with a snap cap.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view of still another embodiment of a jar with a snap cap.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section of another embodiment of a snap cap.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the snap cap of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of yet another embodiment of a snap cap.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of a jar with a snap cap.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a child resistant cap.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a child resistant cap.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a child resistant cap.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a child resistant cap.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a child resistant cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

In FIG. 1, a resealable jar 100 is shown that includes body 102, which has a rigid fibrous wall 104 that at least partially defines a lumen (not shown), and an open end. As used herein, “lumen” means the inner space defined by the walls of the container. Contemplated jars can have a horizontal cross-section that comprises a cylindrical, ovular, square, or any other commercially suitable shapes. It is also contemplated that the jar 100 can include one or more tapered walls (not shown). The jar 100 could have any commercially suitable size and dimension depending on the desired storage volume of the lumen.

Body 102 preferably comprises one or more biodegradable material(s) such that the body could be recycled or composted when no longer needed. Contemplated material(s) for the body 102 include, for example, kraft or other papers, strings, fibrous materials, or combination(s) thereof.

The body 102 can be formed from a single piece of material, although it is contemplated that the body 102 could include wall 104 and a separate bottom piece such as a paperboard disk or other material(s) (not shown) that fits around or within a portion of wall 104. In preferred embodiments, the wall 104 comprises a single piece of rolled kraft or other paper such that a wall 104 with at least three layers of the rolled paper is formed. In other contemplated embodiments, the jar 100 can comprise a rigid paper tube having a separate fitted paper closure permanently fixed to securely seal one end of the jar 100. In still other contemplated embodiments, the jar 100 can be composed of a molded fibrous material that forms a rigid vessel of any desirable size and dimension with an open end configured to receive snap cap 106.

Jar 100 can also include a biodegradable pressure snap cap 106, which is sized and dimensioned to releasably engage an open end of the body 102. The snap cap 106 can include a rim 130, and one or more downwardly-extending projections (not shown), which are configured to contact an inner surface of the wall 104. The projection(s) can advantageously facilitate a user with securing the snap cap 106 to the body 102 while preventing deformation of the body 102 and ensuring that the snap cap 106 is properly disposed on the body 102.

Contemplated snap caps 106 include any commercially suitable closure or combination of closures that (1) are biodegradable, (2) seal the container, and (3) provide for moisture and oxygen resistance. It is preferred that the snap cap 106 be at least partially composed of one or more flexible biodegradable material(s) such that limited deformation of the snap cap 106 is allowed. Contemplated materials include, for example, vulcanized natural latex rubber and polymerized vegetable oil, although any commercially suitable biodegradable material(s) could be used. Such flexibility advantageously allows the snap 106 to be used to repeatedly seal the jar 100 after use.

Advantageously, both the body 102 and snap cap 106 can be biodegradable such that jar 100 is 100% biodegradable. In this manner, the jar 100 can be recycled or composted when the jar 100 is no longer needed, and can thereby prevent additional waste from being disposed in ever-growing landfills.

Preferred jars 100 can have one or more moisture resistant films applied to at least a portion of the jar's interior, or can be composed of inherently moisture-resistant materials, or materials treated to have moisture-resistant properties such as by being coated or impregnated with a permeation barrier. For example, at least a portion of an inner surface of the jar 100 can advantageously include a permeation barrier that reduces the oxygen or moisture transfer rate of the jar 100. As used herein, a statement that a wall of a jar “includes a permeation barrier” means that the wall is treated with an additive that has a transfer rate of less than or equal to (a) 50 μl of water and/or sunflower oil per cm² for each mm of wall thickness per six-month period of time, or (b) 10 ml to 100 ml, 10 ml to 200 ml, and less preferably 100 ml to 500 ml of oxygen per m² per each 1 mm of wall thickness per 24 hour period of time, at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure (STP).

Preferred permeation barriers comprise vegetable or petroleum wax, vulcanized latex, plant resins, and cellophane. Other suitable permeation barriers include, for example, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,784 to Hodson, U.S. Patent Application 2005/0130261 to Wils, and any other commercially suitable barriers. Still other contemplated permeation barriers include, for example, non-biodegradable metalized oxygen barrier films and the use of metalized biodegradable films such as a gas disposition of aluminum on Polylactic Acid Polymer (PLA).

The jar 100 can be configured to receive vitamins, herbs, tea leaves, oatmeal, or other contents, and the specific composition of the jar 100 and its components will depend upon the expected contents to be contained within the lumen of the jar 100. For example, if the jar 100 contains vitamins, the jar 100 should be configured to reduce the oxygen transfer rate of the jar such that the vitamins do not prematurely spoil.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rigid, biodegradable snap cap 206 having an upper surface 232, and a protruding tab 214 that facilitates removal of the snap cap 206 from ajar or other container. The snap cap 206 is preferably sized and dimensioned such that the cap 206 can positively engage and thereby seal an open end of a container, such as the jar 100 shown in FIG. 1. It is contemplated that the snap cap 206 could be of any commercially suitable size and dimension, and can thereby be used to seal a variety of jars and other containers.

Preferred snap caps 206 are sized and dimensioned to engage a ridge of a jar or other container, and include a rim 230 that can be disposed about an exterior of a container. The snap cap 206 can be inherently moisture resistant, or rendered moisture resistant by a film or permeation barrier, and thereby help to preserve the contents of the container.

In FIG. 3, a jar 300 is shown having a body 302 that includes a wall 304, and an open end 308 into which a biodegradable snap cap 306 can be inserted. The body 302 preferably defines a lumen 320, in which one or more contents can be stored. The body 302 can be made of rolled paper formed into a tube that comprises first, second, and third layers 350A-350C, respectively, or alternatively, molded fibrous material(s).

The body 302 is preferably coated with a permeation barrier material 334, although it is alternatively contemplated that the permeation barrier material 334 could be impregnated within or otherwise disposed on the body 302. In other contemplated embodiments, the body 302 could include a film that acts as the permeation barrier material 334.

The snap cap 306 includes a single projection 312 that extends downwardly from the snap cap 306, and is sized and dimensioned to be received within the open end 308 of body 302 such that the projection 312 can contact at least a portion of a circumference of an interior of wall 304. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the snap cap 306 could include two or more projections that each contacts a portion of a circumference of an interior of wall 304. An outer edge of the projection 312 can have an arc length of at least 45 degrees, and it is further contemplated that the projection 312 could contact all or almost all (e.g., 85%, 90%, 95%, etc.) of a circumference of an interior of wall 304. The snap cap 306 can also include a protruding tab 314 that facilitates removal of the snap cap 306 from the jar 300.

The snap cap 306 further includes a recess 336 that is sized and dimensioned to receive an upper portion 338 of body 302, and thereby effectively seals the lumen 320 from an external environment. With respect to the remaining numerals in FIG. 3, the same considerations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 1 apply.

As shown in FIG. 4, an interior surface 413 of the rim 430 can have an indentation 416 that is sized and dimensioned to mate with a lip 418 or other projection of wall 404. In this manner, the snap cap 406 can be used to cover the open end 408 and positively engage with the lip 418 of the jar 400 to create a seal. Alternatively, the exterior surface of the projection 412 can include a bump or other projection that is sized and dimensioned to mate with an indentation on an interior portion of wall (see, e.g., FIG. 6). With respect to the remaining numerals in FIG. 4, the same considerations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 3 apply.

FIG. 5 shows a jar 500 having a snap cap 506 that is coupled to the jar 500 to thereby effectively seal an open end of the jar 500 and protect the contents of lumen 520. With respect to the remaining numerals in FIG. 5, the same considerations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 4 apply.

In FIG. 6, another embodiment of a jar 600 is shown having a snap cap 606 that is sized and dimensioned to cover an open end 608 of jar 600, and includes projection 612. An exterior surface 640 of the projection 612 preferably includes an indentation 616 that is sized and dimensioned to receive an internal lip 618 of the body 602, which can assist in maintaining the snap cap 606 on the body 602. With respect to the remaining numerals in FIG. 6, the same considerations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 4 apply.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a snap cap 706 having a plurality of projections 712, which each extends downwardly from the snap cap 706. Each of the projections 712 is configured to contact a portion of a circumference of an exterior of the wall of the container. The snap cap 706 also includes a recess 736 into which an upper surface of a container can be inserted. FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the snap cap of FIG. 7. With respect to the remaining numerals in each of FIGS. 7 and 8, the same considerations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 4 apply.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a snap cap 906 that includes projections 912 that each has an “L-shape” horizontal cross-section. The snap cap 906 has a square-shaped horizontal cross-section, although the snap cap 906 could have any commercially suitable shape. With respect to the remaining numerals in FIG. 9, the same considerations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 4 apply.

In FIG. 10, a jar 1000 is shown having a snap cap 1006 that includes projection 1012. An exterior surface 1040 of the projection 1012 preferably includes an indentation 1016 that is sized and dimensioned to receive an internal lip 1018 of the body 1002, which can assist in maintaining the snap cap 1006 on the body 1002. Pills 1046 can be disposed within a lumen 1020 of the jar 1000, although any commercially suitable product(s) could be disposed within the jar including, for example, herbs, vitamins, oats and so forth. With respect to the remaining numerals in FIG. 10, the same considerations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 4 apply.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an embodiment of a child resistant cap 1100 having a spring loaded removal device 1103. It is contemplated that the cap is rigid having a cap mating surface 1101 that engages with a ridge (shown in FIG. 6, 618) about an open end of a jar. The ridge may be disposed about the interior or exterior of the jar body and the cap 1100 is sized and dimensioned to engage with the open end of the jar securely enough to be sufficiently difficult for children to remove without activating the removal device. The spring loaded removal device can be an integrally constructed spring loaded projecting member or tab 1103 that when manipulated will project beyond the exterior edge of the cap 1102 to allow the user to grasp and remove the cap 1100 with a prying motion. When not manipulated, the projecting member 1103 will remain in a retracted state. FIG. 11 depicts the spring loaded tab 1103 in the refracted position and FIG. 12 depicts the spring loaded tab 1103 in the extended position.

It is also contemplated that other cap embodiments may accomplish child resistance by fitting securely to the container and allowing removal by the insertion of a separate prying member (not shown) in a corresponding slot (not shown) for disengagement of the cap from the open end of the jar body.

FIG. 13 depicts another embodiment of a child resistant cap 1300 having a deformable center section 1303. It is contemplated that the cap 1300 is semi flexible having a cap mating surface 1301 that engages with a ridge (not shown) about an open end of the jar. The ridge may be disposed about the interior or exterior of the jar body and the cap 1300 is sized and dimensioned to securely engage with the container. The exterior side of the cap that engages with the open end of the jar is configured in such a way that when a user applies a downward force to a deformable center section 1303 of the cap (from the outside), the engagement surface 1302 of the cap deforms to disengage a ridge (not shown) about an open end of the jar and the exterior edge of the cap is lifted upward. The user completes the removal process by grasping the upraised edge with a finger and pries the cap from the jar. When the cap 1300 is engaged with the container, it does not offer enough of a projection beyond the edge to allow a user to grasp and remove the cap without depressing the center of the cap to allow disengagement.

FIG. 14 depicts another embodiment of the child resistant cap 1400 having pinch tabs 1402. It is contemplated that cap 1400 is a semi flexible having a cap mating surface 1401 that engages with a ridge (not shown) about an open end of the jar. The ridge may be disposed about the interior or exterior of the jar body and the cap 1400 is sized and dimensioned to securely engage with the container. This cap has at least two pinch tabs 1402 oppositely opposed on either side of the cap that when pinched together cause an interior portion 1403 of the cap to deform causing disengagement from the container ridge. When the cap 1400 is engaged with the jar, simply prying the pinch tabs 1402 to remove the cap will not result in disengagement. This can be accomplished by forming the cap with an upraised ridge, or other topographies, running diagonally between the graspable projections to resist deformation in an upwards direction about the exterior edge. Other pinch tabs 1402 may be utilized to bring this type of jar engagement/disengagement mechanism, namely by the use of two or more materials, each with differing flexibility.

FIG. 15 depicts still another embodiment of the child resistant cap 1500 having a pull tab 1503. It is contemplated the cap 1500 is a semi flexible having a cap mating surface 1501 that engages with a ridge (not shown) about an open end of the jar. The ridge may be disposed about the interior or exterior of the jar body and the cap 1500 is sized and dimensioned to securely engage with the container. The radial exterior surface 1502 of the cap is sized and dimensioned to allow grasping by a hand of the user such as one may grasp a standard twistable cap. It is contemplated that the center of the exterior of the cap may have a pull tab 1503 the allows the user to twist, or simply pull upwards, thereby causing the interior cap surface to deform, allowing disengagement with the ridge. It is contemplated that cap 1500 can be configured to disengage from the opening of the jar by pulling on pull tab 1503 and twisting cap 1500. Some embodiments may have a projection formed into a ring shape to allow pulling motion deformation.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A resealable jar, comprising: a body having a rigid fibrous wall that at least partially defines a lumen, and an open end; and a child resistant cap sized and dimensioned to engage the open end of the jar body, wherein the cap is configured to releaseably engage the open end of the jar body.
 2. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the cap at least partially comprises a flexible biodegradable material.
 3. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the body and the cap are biodegradable.
 4. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the body is composed of a fibrous material.
 5. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the body is composed of a paper.
 6. The resealable jar of claim 5, wherein the body comprises a single piece of rolled paper.
 7. The resealable jar of claim 1, further comprising vitamins disposed within the lumen.
 8. The resealable jar of claim 1, further comprising herbs disposed within the lumen.
 9. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a spring loaded removal device.
 10. The resealable jar of claim 9, wherein the cap at least partially comprises a flexible biodegradable material.
 11. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a deformable center section, wherein the cap is configured to disengage the open end of the jar body by application of a force to the deformable center section.
 12. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises at least two pinch tabs, wherein the cap is configured to disengage the open end of the jar body by application of a force to the pinch tabs.
 13. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a pull tab, wherein the cap is configured to disengage the open end of the jar body by application of a force to the pull tab.
 14. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a slot configured to receive a prying member for disengage of the cap from the open end of the jar body.
 15. The resealable jar of claim 1, wherein the body and cap consist of biodegradable materials. 